macbook pro m4 for engineering programs as revit and others

Note that all current Macs use Apple Silicon processors.

They can run the ARM version of Windows 11 inside of a virtual machine, using a program like Parallels Desktop. They cannot run Intel versions of Windows, and they cannot run Windows 11 for ARM as a dual-boot OS.

WIndows 11 for ARM has the ability to run some Windows/Intel programs using emulation or translation … but it's preferable to run Windows/ARM software if you can. Adobe offers Windows/ARM versions of many of their major applications, but I'm not sure what the deal is when it comes to major Windows engineering applications.

FYI, AutoDesk says they provide many native applications for Macs – although I do not know if the list includes the ones you are looking for.

AutoDesk – Mac-compatible software

If they do offer a particular program in both macOS / Apple Silicon and Windows / Intel versions, going with the Mac version would save you two layers of overhead, compared with going with the Windows / Intel version and running it in emulation inside of a Windows 11 for ARM virtual machine.

agnesetomaselli wrote:

Then what you suggest to do?

I was thinking about buying an m4pro with augmented ram, a macbook pro 2019 intel i9 or a microsoft based laptop

but I’m not sure wich is the best choice

i am used to work with apple devices (my current mac, ipad and iphone)

I suggest you determine what apps you need to use, which computing platform these apps best run on, then get that computer. If you need to run Windows programs for work get a Windows computer.

Revit is an AutoDesk application. It looks like it currently has neither a Mac version or a Windows / ARM one, so if it ran at all, it would have to be in emulation, inside of a Windows 11 for ARM virtual machine.

AutoDesk – Using Autodesk Revit (LT) on a macOS

Hi we are two architects working onMacOS several years. My setup is MacBook Pro 14 M1 Pro 16GB ram 512GB disk /base M1 Pro/.Software native: Sketchup, Enscape, AutoCAD LT, Affinity, Blender, Twinmotion. Software emulated via Parallels: Revit LT. I don’t do heavy projects and don’t do photorealistic renders /you can see some at I use REIT for almost all my job. AutoCAD just to cooperate with specialists /HVAC, electric,…/ Sketchup for modeling and Ensacpe renders /mostly stills to 2000x2000 px/. Blender and Twinmotion are in use very little. I use one 4K 27 inch monitor or work on the way, building site, coffee shop,etc. I’m the one who is more outside the office an responsible for communication and archvis. My college has Mac mini M4 Pro 24GB ram 512 GB /base m4 pro model/ software native: AutoCAD LT, Affinity software via parallels: Revit LT.

we choose Revit because: its standard in our country, LT version way cheaper then Archicad which is native on MacOS/, Vectorworks tried but was no option.

we use Apple ecosystems: iPhones, iPads, iCloud /2TB solution with all our projects online/

we are ok with the solution, speed and everything about Revit /Autocad is no brainier/ but the speed and responsiveness is slower then widows machine /we tested on Amd Ryzen 5 3600 16GB and RTX 3070. And our projects are not huge but we will not going to change to widows / unless we have to deal with huge project/ but you have to be a bit patient

surprise for me is that Sketchup is not that stabil as it used to be, crashes several times per week. Enscape on Mac is fine in current version.

my suggestion is: if you can live without macOS/we can’t / go for widows workstation. If you want to stick to macOS go for at least m4 pro at 24GB ram, if you can afford it buy Mac mini M4 max 64GB ram at least or wait for Mac Studio.

if you have any question I’m here for you or write me to

[Edited by Moderator]